To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 17 April 1789

From Tobias Lear

Baltimore April 17th 1789

My dear Sir,

I called at Mr Moncrieff’s with the enclosed bill, and was informed that he went over to the Eastern Shore some time last week, and was not expected home for several days.1 I could find no person who transacted his business in his absence from whom I might have gained some information respecting the payment of the bill. I have therefore left it that you may do with
it as you think best. Perhaps it might be well to leave it in the hands of some Gentleman here who will receive payment of it when Mr Moncrieff returns, and remit the money to New York.

Mr Curson informed me that he had shipped the seeds on board a vessel bound to Alexandria, which had sailed yesterday morning—and that he had charged the Captain to land them at Mount Vernon on his way up the River.2

With my best wishes for a pleasant Journey—and in expectation of the happiness of seeing you shortly. I am, my dear Sir, Very respectfully & sincerely Your affectionate & Obedt Servt

Tobias Lear

ALS, PHi: Society Collection.

Lear left Mount Vernon on 15 April for Alexandria to take the stage to New York to prepare for GW’s arrival. According to his diary entry for 15 April, Lear was requested by Charles Thomson to “take letters to Mr Langdon informing him of the General’s acceptance of the presidency of the United States” (quoted in Brighton, Checkered Career of Tobias Lear, description begins Ray Brighton. The Checkered Career of Tobias Lear. Portsmouth, N.H., 1985. description ends 58–59).

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